Early in February this year construction in Mumbai had come to a near halt due to a serious shortage of sand. Ready-mix concrete production units had closed temporarily for want of sand. Against a daily sand demand of 600-1,000 trucks, hardly three to 10 trucks were coming into Mumbai and this had an effect on the southern States too.

Some piece-meal pitching-in from the neighbouring Gujarat did not satiate Mumbai's hunger. Before the shortage, sand prices were Rs.2, 500 per truck but after the shortage the prices surged to Rs.12, 000....

Saint Gobain Glass India has introduced a ‘fire safety glass' under the brand name ‘Vetrotech Saint Gobain'. An aesthetically designed superior glass for use in fire safety zones like hotel lobbies, computer server rooms etc. This glass is capable of 120 minutes of fire resistance; a perfect combination of safety and aesthetics. Types of Vetrotech Saint Gobain: SGG Pyroswiss Extra is a super toughened special substrate monolithic glass that provides integrity and stability for up to 120 minutes. SGG Contraflam lite is a special inter-layered product that provides radiant heat protection for up to 120 minutes....

After a long hiatus, the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) has conceived a residential complex meant for government employees, a community housing project and 2,000 houses for the economically weaker sections of society which is likely to be a sell-out.

The concept has been finalised and the project awaits final clearance from the government and the key element is its proximity to the city....

The draft Kerala Panchayat Building Rules are ready and are being vetted by various departments.

Separate building rules for panchayats have become necessary because areas under these local bodies differ in character from cities and towns. Implementing the Kerala Municipal Building Rules faces practical difficulties in the panchayat areas, Local Self-Government Minister Paloli Mohammed Kutty says. They are in force in these regions as a stopgap arrangement till the new rules are introduced, he adds....